Tillamook County Fire Defense Board
Protecting all of Tillamook County
What we do
Emergency responders do far more than put out fires or bandage wounds. We are the first line of defense in natural and manmade disasters. We also respond to motor vehicle accidents, hazardous materials incidents, specialized rescues, and a vast array of emergency medical complaints. Every day, throughout Tillamook County, emergency responders answer the call of our families, friends and neighbors who are in need of assistance.
We invite you to Become a volunteer firefighter!
Contact your local Fire Depar tment to find out how to become an volunteer emergency responder. Becoming an emergency responder can be the most rewarding experience of your life. Being an emergency responder gives you the training to truly help those in need.
Bay City Fire Department 503-377-0233
Garibaldi Fire Department 503-322-3635
Nehalem Bay Fire District 503-368-7590
Netarts Oceanside Fire District 503-842-5900
Nestucca Fire District 503-392-3313
Rockaway Beach Fire Department 503-374-1752
Tillamook Fire District 503-842-7587
first responders
When disaster strikes it is the first responders who jump into action, putting their lives on the line to help and protect us all. These brave individuals risk their lives every day through their selfless actions, working some of the most dangerous jobs.
In a resolution in 2017, congress designated October 28 as National First Responders Day. We as a nation take this day to show
respect and appreciation towards all of those heroic people who are the first to arrive on the scene of an emergency.
We salute our brave firefighters who charge into burning buildings without pause. We honor all of our upstanding law enforcement officers who go out every day, risking injury just to keep us safe. We pay tribute to every EMT, paramedic and all oth-
ers who rush in, before anyone else, to provide life-saving care to those in need.
We are so grateful for these courageous people and the vital services they provide to us all. Here, in Tillamook County, we would like to pay special thanks to all of our first responders. Your dedication and bravery do not go unnoticed. Thank you to each and every individual one of you for all that you do!
Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office
Criminal Division
The mission of the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Division is to serve and protect the people and property in Tillamook County.
To accomplish this mission, the Criminal Division enforces County ordinances along with County, State and Federal laws. in addition to normal patrol duties, the Criminal Division has three Marine Deputies, two Forest Deputies, two Detectives, one Deputy assigned to the Sandlake Recreational Area, and one Deputy assigned to the Garibaldi area for enhanced patrol services. Select a division below for more information.
Civil Division
The Civil Division is responsible for carrying out the duties imposed and mandated by the Sheriff as an officer of the Court system, and as required by law. The division fulfills these responsibilities as it pertains to Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED) actions, Garnishment, Abuse Prevention Restraining Orders, Extraordinary Writs, Notices, Small Claims, Summons and Complaints, Summons and Petitions, Writs of Execution, Property Sales, and Criminal, Juvenile and Civil Subpoenas.
Search & Rescue
Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office provides Search and Rescue
throughout Tillamook County. Our team of highly trained and motivated volunteers bring special skills, equipment and provide their personal time to assist the Sheriff’s Office with exceptional Search and Rescue services.
CONTACT INFORMATION
5995 Long Prairie Rd., Tillamook, OR 97141
Phone: 503-842-2561
Fax: 503-815-3399
In case of an emergency dial 911 Non Emergency Dispatch 503-815-1911
Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9 a.m.-Noon and 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Sheriff Josh Brown
Tillamook Police Department
Back row Left to Right:
Chief Nick Troxel, Code Enforcement Officer Kenny Moreland, School Resource Officer Trent Olson, Officer David Martinez, Officer Kurt Vanderhoff, Sergeant James Harrell
Front row Left to Right:
Executive Assistant Lacey Laron, Officer Tim Saddler, Officer Zach Neubauer, Officer Lynn Lothman, Sergeant Corey Hollis, Officer Brian Fitzgerald
Tillamook 9-1-1 Dispatch
Back row:
Tiffany (Administrator), Nicole (no longer employed with us), Charlotte (Dispatcher), Rikki (Dispatcher), Spencer (Dispatcher), Sarah (Dispatcher), John (Technical Manager)
Front Row: Taylor (Dispatcher), Faith (Administrative Assistant), Nikki (Dispatcher), Mauricio (Dispatcher), Sabrina (Dispatch Supervisor), Erin (Dispatch Supervisor), Christina (Dispatcher)
Publication of the Tillamook Headlight Herald and Country Media. Inc. 1906 Second Street, Tillamook, OR 97141 tillamookheadlightherald.com
To advertise in future editions contact Katherine Mace at headlightads@ countrymedia.net or call 503-842-7535
Chief Executive/ Operations: Joe Warren
Editor: Will Chappell
Office Manager: Patty Archambault
Graphic Design: Steph Baumgart
Tillamook Fire District
The Tillamook Fire District serves its citizens in a 97 sq. mile area. We provide Fire, Rescue, EMS, and other related emergency services. We currently have an Intergovernmental agreement with Bay City Fire Department, to enhance our response to specific emergency calls for service. We currently have three paid staff and thirty-one highly dedicated and trained volunteer firefighters. Tillamook Fire District holds an ISO class 3 public protection classification and is currently responding to an average of 1,000 calls for service per year.
Back row Left to Right:
S. Harth FF
J. Hamburger FF
B. Hamburger FF/EMT
J. Welch Lt. /EMR
A. Patching FF/EMT
M. Diaz FF
M. Boydell Lt./EMT-I
R. Ollikanien FF/EMR
B. Reiff FF
T. Miller FF
Front row Left to Right:
M. Smith FF/EMR
D. Audet FF/EMR
K. Aufdermauer FF
P. Edwards CH/EMR
H. Wolnez FF
J. Sterling CAPT/EMT
T. Zuercher CAPT
If you would like to become a volunteer and help provide emergency services to our citizens, please stop by the station and pick up an application.
Nestucca Rural Fire Protection District
Current roster of active volunteers and career roster:
Angelo, Wyatt
Baumgarte, Steve
Beede, Devon Bledsoe, Leif Brown, Lowell Cabal, Roy Chatelain, Shamilee Clark, Alex Cole, Travis Doyle, Dan Eckhardt, John Garrison, Logan
Gould, Tyler Gregory, Rachel Hagan, Dan Hagerty, Aaron Hansen, Roy Hays, Mickey Helms, Wylie Howard, Austin
Howard, Megan Lundeen, Gunnar Luthi, Weston Mahannah, Jim Maze, HelenFey Neel, Jeremy Oeder, Jim Peterson, Eric
Ponot, Alexandre Richardson, Jodi Roseman, Joseph Schriner, Christopher Sears, Austin Shoop, Eric Slavens, Bill Slavens, Ginger
Slavens, Lucas Slavens, Tegan Slavens, Tucker Sturdevant, Ron Tovar-Medina, Byron Upton, Jeneanne Waters, Christian Wilkinson, Greg
Nehalem Bay Fire and Rescue
Fire Chief Jeff McBrayer, Assistant Chief Brian Bucknam, Division Chief Mark Baker, Lieutenant Tim Mayne, Lieutenant Luke Stahle, EMS Officer Shawna Yost, Firefighter MJ Dzundza, EMT Paige Stahle, Firefighter Gill Wiggin, Firefighter Ben Bly, EMT Kelsey Burnis, EMT Cindy Goh, Firefighter Koa Lyu, Firefighter Phillip De Clue, EMT Connor Whitlock, Firefighter John Keehn, EMT Morgan Cooper, CERT Coordinator Elizabeth Bly, Support Services Julie Bucknam, Support Services Bonnie Mayne, Support Services Adrianne Stahle
Netarts - Oceanside Fire District
Front Row:
David Archer, Brian Ruef, Kristen Coyle, Frank Knight Jr., Justin Danh, Dirk Onisaki, Cedar Braasch, Levi Hill, Bill Cardwell, Kalani Mersereau, Jesse Walsh.
Back Row:
Frank Knight III, Jason Weiss, Dan Weitzel, Brad Shinapaugh, Mick Taylor, Tim Anderson, Josh Hamilton, Aubrey Romain, Nick Smith, Cosmo Simmons, Peter McClure, Zach Costello.
Pictured left to right:
Deputy Chief Blake Paulsen, David O’Connor, Tom Porter, Captain Brad Marugg, Megan Martensen, Alyssa Russell, Fire Chief Tad Pedersen
Not Pictured:
Battalion Chief Chris Miller, Lieutenant Levi Hill, Shane Mergel, Letty Buchanan
Garibaldi Fire Department
Rockaway Beach Fire and Rescue
Rockaway fire celebrates new Ladder Truck
By Scott Fisher
On September 27, Rockaway Beach Fire & Rescue celebrated the arrival of Ladder Truck 21, named Quint, with a traditional push-in ceremony.
Dating to the days of horse-drawn fire equipment, push-ins are now a way for the entire community to welcome a new piece of gear, much like christening a new boat but without the champagne.
The day began with words from Michael Weissenfluh, City Manager Luke Shepard, Mayor Charles McNeilly and Fire Chief Todd Hesse. Then the Rockaway Beach Fire & Rescue crew began the ceremony by wetting down the cab and wiping it dry. Next, the push-in began.
Unlike the horse-drawn days, modern fire equipment is immensely heavy and, fortunately, has its
own propulsion. But still, the mayor and several city council members put their shoulders to the task of welcoming Quint, as the truck has been named, into the fire station.
What’s the significance
of Quint?
“This is a five-in-one fire engine,” Hesse explained. “It combines hose, a pump, its own water supply, ground ladders and an aerial device.”
That combination makes Quint a formidable addition to our firefighting team. The hose and fitments mean Quint can connect with fire hydrants for urban and suburban duty, but the pump and water tank mean this truck is equally equipped for brush or wildland fires.
While other vehicles in the department’s arsenal have ground ladders, those are limited to 24 feet in
height. “They wouldn’t even reach the roof of city hall,” Hesse explained, pointing to the roof in question as we stood on Anchor Street behind it. “The new ground ladders will reach up to 40 feet.”
Better than that is the aerial device with which the truck is equipped. In addition to being able to rotate and extend, this device combines with built-in stanchions on the truck’s chassis to make it possible to lift and carry several firefighters and their gear—or extract residents from a burning building.
“Fully extended, the aerial device can hold up to 750 pounds hanging off the tip,” Hesse explained. “And that’s fully horizontal: it can hold even more if it’s elevated.”
After Quint was safely ensconced in the station, a group of residents settled
down to the fun of hot dogs, snacks, and Tillamook ice cream. A group of volunteers from the newly formed Go Rockaway group handled cooking and serving, as well as choosing winners for the free drawing of a go-bag.
Other drawings included the chance to ride Quint along 101 through town and
up to the high school and back. One of the first riders was my wife, Julie Bell, who was very impressed with the engine’s capabilities. “It can make a U-turn in its own length,” she said on her return.
On the subject of Go Rockaway, Hesse had some very kind words. “These people aren’t in it for themselves,” he said, gesturing to Deb Weissenfluh and her group of volunteers.
“They’re working to lift up everyone in town.”
I caught up with Deb and chatted about the previous weekend’s event, the Beach Bargains combining 40+ yard sales with special offerings from a large number of Rockaway businesses.
“Everyone wants to do a two-day event next year,” Deb explained. Signage through town will be expanded to help shoppers find their way. When asked why the event took place in September and not in
summer, she said it was a conscious effort to bring excitement and visitors for the shoulder season—the end of summer when tourism starts dwindling with the onset of winter.
The Rockaway Beach Business Association, with Victor Troxel leading this project, has just launched a program meant to help sustain our local businesses through the winter slowdown. Called the First Friday Club, the message is simple: On the first Friday of each month, the club (made up of locals who wish to participate) agree to support a different business, spending $25 or more.
Businesses will be chosen at random each month. Victor adds, “Whether you’re a longtime local or new to the area, you’re invited to join us in making a real difference, one Friday at a time. It’s a way to build community while giving our local economy a boost.”
Top row left to right: Dante Diaz, Ryan Boos, Cole Lindsay, Zandra Umholz Bottom Row left to Right: Chris White, Fjara Venezia, Lt. Mikael Hesse, Chief Todd Hesse, Captain Geoff Grace, Mackenzie McCambridge, Ken Barry, and Asst. Chief Don Kiser
New Pic Coming Thursday Morning
Bay City Fire Department
The Bay City Fire Department proudly serves the approximate 2,000 residents of Bay City, Oregon, providing fire protection and emergen -
cy medical services. As of November 2023, our department holds an ISO
Class 3 public protection classification and is accredited by the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST), demonstrating our commitment to maintaining high standards in emergency response.
Operating from a single station located at 9390 4th Street, Bay City Fire is equipped with two Type 1 structural fire engines, a Type 6 brush truck, and two command vehicles. Our department is a combination of 20 dedicated volunteer firefighters and 2.5 career staff, working together to ensure the
safety of our community. Volunteers complete rigorous in-house and academy training on various firefighting and emergency response topics, with many also trained at different levels of emergency medical response. The team also receives specialized training in technical rescue areas, including rope rescue.
This year, 2024, has been one of our busiest yet, with a projected 350 emergency calls. Our volunteers remain the backbone of the department, displaying unwavering dedication to helping others. How -
ever, there is a continuous need for additional volunteers. If you are interested in joining Bay City Fire Department, you can call us at 503-377-0233, email us at firedept@ci.bay-city. or.us, or stop by the station Monday through Friday.
Additionally, Bay City Fire recently entered into an intergovernmental agreement with the Tillamook Fire District, allowing both agencies to collaborate and enhance the level of service we provide to our communities.
Adventist Health Tillamook Ambulance
The roles EMS workers play in your community
Every community has its unsung heroes. Without the contributions of selfless individuals whose efforts often go unnoticed, thriving communities would not be as safe, welcoming or successful.
EMS workers are among the most important individuals in a community. The contributions of these individuals, many of whom work as unpaid volunteers, are invaluable and worthy of recognition. Making an effort to understand the role EMS workers play is a great first step toward showing them how much they’re appreciated.
What is EMS?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of EMS notes that Emergency Medical Services, or EMS, is a system that provides emergency medical care. The Office of EMS also notes that EMS does not exist in isolation, as it is integrated with
other services and systems with the goal of maintaining and enhancing the health and safety of a community and its residents. This is why EMS services, though they vary from community to community, may be based in fire departments, hospitals, independent government agencies, or nonprofit corporations.
When do EMS personnel interact with their
communities?
Many people only encounter EMS workers during medical emergencies when they are most in need of help. That underscores the vital role EMS workers play in public health and safety and just how integral they are in instances that could escalate into life-ordeath situations.
Recognition of the roles EMS workers play is a great way to show support for these often unsung community heroes.
Featured Adventist Health Tillamook Ambulance team members shown left to right: Joe Compston, Autumn Patching, Jackie Fox, Eric Swanson
Ambulance team members not shown (last name a-z): David Arnett, Greg Ayers, Joseph Bartling, Mike Boydell, Andrew Browning, Abigail Bunker, Kelsey Burnis, Casey Cannon, Tobin Capell, Casey Jo Clifton, Jennifer Conn, Alex Evans, Robert Garner, Cindy Goh, Aaron Harris, Sierra Hamilton, Shelby Jenck, Brook Klahn, Deon Kellar, Erin Luethe, Tammy Martin, Tony McGarvey, Madeline McKay, Victoria O-Halloran, Reilly Oleachea, Jenny Pratt, Holly Saindon, Makoa Soares, Jodi Richardson, Preston Robertson, Evan Wallace, Poppy Watkins, Gregory Wilkinson
Adventist Health Tillamook proudly honors the first responders who serve our community with strength, speed, and compassion — from dispatchers and EMTs to paramedics, firefighters, and law enforcement officers. Thank you for helping Tillamook thrive. AdventistHealthTillamook.org